NEW DELHI, Jan 1:
The Congress on Monday charged Prime Minister Narendra Modi of claiming personal credit for a recent relief granted to women Haj pilgrims by the Government of Saudi Arabia which allows them freedom to travel alone.
Reacting to PM’s remarks in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme yesterday that the present government had changed the rule that required a Muslim woman wanting to go to Haj to be accompanied by a male guardian, Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed said, ”trying to take undue credit.
Saudi Government has relaxed the rule. An Indian woman is free to travel alone, inside or outside the country from before Modi era. For Haj, if rules are not followed Saudi will not issue Visa.
Fooling own followers?” Speaking during the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme yesterday, PM Modi had said, ”it had come to our notice that if a Muslim woman wants to go on Haj, she must have a ‘Mehram’ or a male guardian.
Otherwise, she cannot travel. It was discriminatory. We have changed this rule and this year around 1300 women applied to go without a male guardian.” (UNI)
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